Hisashi Iwakuma | Starting Pitcher

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Hisashi Iwakuma turned in a dominant performance in earning a no-decision against the Twins on Sunday, allowing just three hits and one run over 8 2/3 innings before the Mariners picked up a 4-1 win in extra innings.

Iwakuma struck out eight and walked one in the spectacular performance, but he would not earn a victory. After Nelson Cruz homered in the top of the ninth to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead, Iwakuma would trot out to try for the complete game and subsequently allow a solo home run to Brian Dozier. The Mariners would eventually win 4-1 in 11 innings. No-decision aside, it was a great start. He's been inconsistent since returning from injury in early July, but outings like this are a reminder that expectations should be initially tempered when a player returns from a long stint on the disabled list. For the season, Iwakuma holds a 4.31 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. There's still room for improvement on that ERA mark. He'll try to build off Sunday's strong start when he faces the Rangers in Seattle next time he toes the rubber. Aug 2 - 6:27 PM

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Mariners are telling teams that they plan to keep Hisashi Iwakuma.

Seattle is well under .500 and Iwakuma is due to become a free agent this offseason, so it's an odd stance for the M's to take. The 34-year-old right-hander has posted a rough-looking 5.10 ERA in 47 2/3 innings this summer, but his peripherals are much better and he'd surely fetch some prospects in this market. Jul 30 - 2:45 PM

Hisashi Iwakuma served up six runs to the Diamondbacks in 5 2/3 innings, leaving with a loss on Tuesday.

Iwakuma was on a roll entering Tuesday's outing, with three quality outings in a row. But the D'Backs weren't impressed, pounding out 10 hits against the right-hander. He also walked one and struck out five as he watched his ERA balloon to 5.10. Iwakuma will try to right his ship when he takes the mound against the Twins in Minnesota. Jul 29 - 1:13 AM

However, Morosi adds that Seattle "still hasn't committed firmly to trading him." The Mariners are, at best, on the fringe of the Wild Card race and Iwakuma is a free agent after this season, but it doesn't appear they're ready to give up yet. Iwakuma has been limited to just seven starts this season due to injury but has been really good the last three times out, allowing a total of just four runs. Jul 28 - 12:08 AM

It's a nice step, but Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon cautioned that it's "going to be a slow process" for Paxton. "Pax is going to be out for a while," the skipper added. It's not a surprise, as Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune speculated last week that the lefty returning prior to August would be "optimistic."

Charlie Furbush (biceps) is scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Sunday and Tuesday.

If all goes well, Furbush will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday and could be back with the Mariners by next weekend. Furbush has been one of the more reliable arms in Seattle's bullpen, contributing a dominant 2.08 ERA across 33 appearances this year. Left-handers are hitting .105 against him in 38 at-bats.